Harlan

Although I didn't know it at the time, from the moment I entered the 'dojo' for my very first lesson in MA, I was 'judging' the class, teacher and dojo in a negative way. Already deciding on a subtle level not to train there. It was just two guys, way out in the sticks, practicing weapons in a hall. I felt 'out of place' .... a female in a private 'good ol' boys' club'. Without the McDojo trappings of success and a big class to vanish in, I felt very vulnerable. If not for an insight I had later that week, my ignorance and insecurities would have made that my first and last class in kobudo.

Just started last year, at the age of 44. Was looking for exercise. Who knew?

Some truisms that apply: history is written by the winners and individual memory is short. I admit to knowing very little about sports, much less athletes, but I have always been impressed by stories of men (and women) that prevailed in life over obstacles. Discrimination of any kind (the various 'isms') is the hardest obstacle in that it can be so nebulous/intangible and yet pervasive. Lance Armstrong's personal struggle with cancer is inspiring. Too bad his marriage didn't hold up. My vote is for all the athletes that persevere under unfair conditions, and do it with grace and dignity. The Jackie Robinsons, the Jim Thorpes, etc. 'Nardism' of the day: The measure of a man is not if he falls, but how he gets up.

Such an odd parody, I loved it! Was like the '70's and high school all over again...but in some weird mid-west Oz-like place. The first time the kids watched it I agonized over 'when will this piece of c..p end' ? By the 3rd time I couldn't stop laughing.

Western culture: https://www.lucidity.com Eastern cultures....research Tibetian Dreaming. Something to consider: getting hung up on dreaming is another distraction on the path to enlightenment.

Well, we live in a material world. Consider 'spiritual' to be anything other. The realm of thoughts, emotions, perception/consciousness. Then consider the body to be the vehicle that is used in an experiential way to reach the non-material. Spiritual attainment through the martial arts would then be when you are in a perceptual place where the body/material and mental/spiritual are experienced as one...no dichotomy.

Sorry. If you can watch your own teacher do kata, spar, etc. you should be able to see what his teachers poured into him; All the essence of a lineage should be in your teacher.

This one is more my style: http://www.suite101.com/files/mysites/AskAlice/Clock.htm